R360 Recruits Hit With 10-Season Exclusion from NRL

The NRL's governing body has announced that athletes who enter the “counterfeit” R360 will be banned for 10 years.

R360, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is seeking to lure athletes from both codes with lucrative deals and a slimmed-down fixture list.

Prominent NRL athletes have allegedly been contacted by the new league, which will involve six to eight men's teams and four women's sides operating from key urban centers worldwide.

Representing Samoa the rugby star, who represents his NRL club in the NRL, has stated he has had discussions with R360.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Gray are also reported to be thinking about signing R360.

Eight major union teams, including Australia, last week imposed a ban on athletes signing with R360 playing test matches.

“We heard our franchises and we've responded strongly,” stated the league's chief Peter V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will persistently exist entities that try to exploit our sport for potential financial gain.

“They avoid funding in development systems or the advancement of athletes. They merely capitalize on the efforts of existing bodies, putting players at risk of monetary damage while profiting themselves.

“In truth, they represent, counterfeiting a code.”

The league is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and funded by independent financiers.

After the possible union sanctions were announced last week, it said: “We want to work in partnership as part of the international rugby schedule.

“The series is arranged with tailored timetables for male and female sides and R360 will release all players for global fixtures, as written into their agreements.”

The new league will seek approval for its initiatives from rugby union's governing body, union's regulatory group, at its council meeting in the coming year.